The Government is being asked to stump up £100m towards a relief road that would boost Carlisle's financial fortunes.

Up to six possible routes are likely to be drawn up for a new connection linking the M6 and the A595.

The road, to the south of the city, is seen as the missing link in the area's highways network and critical to achieving ambitious economic aspirations.

Talks have started with landowners who may be affected by the development, while initial exploratory work is underway.

As the funding bid has landed on desks at Whitehall, political leaders have warned that the importance of the route - and its power to fuel new business and a housing boom - cannot be underestimated.

Cumbria County Council has lodged the cash application, backed by city MP John Stevenson, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Carlisle City Council and Transport for the North.

And the alliance is braced for a battle to land the cash.

County council leader Stewart Young said: "£100m is serious money and competition for it from other areas will be fierce so we're not taking anything for granted.
Stewart Young

"But I'm urging government to look closely at the merits of what we're proposing."

There have already been challenges in starting the road plan, including the need to take it over the West Coast Main Line and over the River Caldew.

Initial public consultation is expected to take place early next year. Any final scheme would be subject to a formal planning process.

City council leader Colin Glover says the plans, previously revealed by The Cumberland News, have got people talking.

"It's generated a lot of interest," he said. "People are excited, even though the exact route is not yet known."

The bid, submitted to the government's Housing Infrastructure Fund, is vital to the proposed St Cuthbert’s Garden Village project that could see up to 10,000 new homes built south of the city.

"This will be the missing link in terms of highways infrastructure," Mr Glover added.


Colin Glover "We've already had the successful completion of the northern bypass and this road will support our ambitious plans for St Cuthbert's Garden Village. We've been working with the local enterprise group and we believe that it will bring investment and opportunities to the south of Carlisle."

Mr Glover said that the new link road, better connecting the M6 and the A595, will also help to alleviate traffic problems in other parts of Carlisle.

He added: "We've got a growing city with three rivers. It will enable traffic coming from the M6 at junction 42 to access the A595 without having to come directly into the city centre."

If the bid is successful, the county council will be invited to prepare a business case next spring, which will be used by the government to determine whether or not to fund the project.

However, the government has yet to notify councils of exactly when the outcome of bids will be determined.

Mr Young added: "A new road to the south of the city is vital if we want to support Carlisle's growth and future prosperity.

"It would unlock a large swathe of land for housing as well as improving connections into the west of the county for those coming from the south. The economic benefit is significant."